‘Really, Really Unsafe’: Experts Warn as Artificial Turf Boom Prompts LA to Weigh a Ban

Los Angeles weighs ban as artificial turf installations soar

Los Angeles is considering banning artificial turf fields amid growing concerns about chemical exposures, extreme surface heat and environmental harm, the Los Angeles Times reports. California installs roughly 1,100 acres of artificial turf annually, and similar uptake has been reported in Australia.

How artificial turf differs from real grass

Artificial turf is made of nylon or other synthetic strands that mimic grass, with infill materials — from recycled tire crumbs to organic options like olive pits — layered between the fibers. Unlike living grass, which helps cool the air, artificial turf absorbs sunlight and can reach dangerously high surface temperatures.

"These surfaces get really hot," said Sarah Evans, assistant professor of environmental medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. "My children say their 'feet feel like they're burning … even with shoes on.' So it's really, really unsafe temperatures under a lot of conditions."

Surface temperatures have been reported up to 160°F (71°C) or higher — hot enough to cause first- and second-degree burns. Spraying or watering turf can temporarily lower surface temperatures, but doing so eliminates much of the material’s advertised water-saving advantage.

Health and injury concerns

Beyond heat risks, players may be exposed to chemicals from the nylon fibers and some infill materials, including PFAS and other potentially hazardous compounds. Exposure can occur via skin contact, inhalation of dust or fibers, or accidental ingestion. Some industry studies report minimal risk, but critics say those analyses sometimes omit large numbers of constituent chemicals or examine only infill and not the synthetic fibers. Other peer-reviewed research has identified chemicals in artificial turf that produce harmful effects in laboratory animals.

There are also injury concerns: cleats and shoes designed for natural grass and soil can interact differently with manufactured surfaces, potentially increasing the risk of ankle and knee injuries for athletes.

Environmental impacts and alternatives

Artificial turf is primarily plastic and sheds microplastics into the environment; research and estimates suggest this shedding can total thousands of pounds per year across installations. The material also contributes to localized warming and has disposal challenges at end of life.

Safer, more sustainable alternatives include native-plant lawns and low-water ground covers such as clover or buffalo grass. These options retain cooling properties, require less water than typical turfgrass, avoid hazardous synthetic chemicals, and support wildlife and pollinators.

What’s next

With cities like Los Angeles reassessing artificial turf, public-health experts urge more independent testing, clearer labeling of materials and chemicals, consideration of injury risks, and prioritizing natural or low-impact alternatives where possible.